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Deadline Passes, Flynn Not Tagged

In the end, the Packers decided not to place the franchise tag on quarterback Matt Flynn.

Pretty much the only circumstance in which it could have happened was if the Packers came to a handshake deal with another team and Flynn would have agreed to a contract extension worth less than the value of the franchise tag, which would have cost in the neighborhood of $14.5 million.

It would have been too risky for the Packers to have simply placed the tag and then hoped and prayed they could trade him. At that point, teams interested in trading for Flynn would have had the Packers over a barrel knowing they'd have to get rid of him or be forced to pay him his guaranteed $14.5 million for one year.

The Packers can get compensation if and when Flynn leaves via unrestricted free agency in the form of a compensatory draft choice. Given the likelihood Flynn will sign a lucrative contract with a quarterback needy team, the Packers could receive as high as a third round draft choice in 2013.

The exact compensation won't be known until over a year from now, because it will depend on the amount of money Flynn signs for, how well he performs and if the Packers happen to sign anyone in free agency.

Free agency starts on Tuesday March 13. That's the next important date on the NFL calendar when Packers like Flynn, center Scott Wells, defensive back Jarrett Bush, running back Ryan Grant, linebacker Erik Walden, defensive lineman Howard Green and cornerback Pat Lee are eligble to sign with any team they choose unless they come to a contract extension with Green Bay between now and then.

1) It's illegal right now. 2) TT never seems to talk about potential trades. So even if it happened we're not going to hear about it. Personally a POSSIBLE 3rd rounder next year is not much. I would have tagged Flynn and traded him for even 3rd or 4th this year, and hoped for more. The Packers are still close, but need some additions on D. So it kind of makes me wonder what TT thinks of this years' draft class.

I think that your break-down is correct. Tag-and-trade would only have worked with two or more bidders. It's a risky proposition. Right now, I think that getting even a third next year is far from guaranteed, so I'd have grabbed whatever I could have right now.

Is there any possibility that now that the tag thing is over; that the Pack could offer a contract to Flynn that is agreeable to all three parties, then trade to a team that wants him, and Flynn wants to be there. I know the argument that Flynn wouldn't want to deplete the draft choices; he has to have a preference of future destination.

Flynn may tank and this comment will be irrelevant. I hope he doesn't. If a team would have wanted him they could have had him during this period - given they had communicated to the Packers a willingness to pay the bucks needed. The fact no team did, is a testament to certain insecurities within his game. Arm strength. Yes, he played outstanding in his two NFL starts. In fact, he was frickin incredible. But remember, he has started two NFL games as a QB for one of more high powered NFL offenses of the 21st century. Not a statistically sound sample. Throw him on a team like the Dolphins where he is not surrounded by a high potent offensive juggernaut and I'm guessing his numbers will be considerably more average than what our bias Green and Gold eyes have seen.

The jury will be out for awhile on what we may have lost. What we may have gained is whoever TT can pull in the 3rd round of next year's draft.

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"I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious."